Purpose

Children’s Services have commissioned a refurbished ten-bedroom property, to provide supported accommodation for young people aged 16+ who are in care under Section 20 of the Children Act 1989. The service is designed for young people with low to medium support needs, delivered within a structured and high-quality support model. The purpose of the provision is to support young people to develop the skills, resilience, and independence required to enable planned move-on into permanent accommodation within a 12-month period.
This approach aims to:
• Provide safe, stable, and supportive accommodation for young people
• Equip young people with the life skills and resilience required for independent living
• Enable planned progression into permanent accommodation through Home Choice Bristol or the Housing Support Register
Bristol City Council currently has limited availability of 16+ supported accommodation. Consequently, young people under Section 20 are often placed in high-support External Supported Accommodation (ESA), which is both costly and not always the most appropriate provision for the needs of this cohort. This provision addresses this gap by offering an appropriate and Ofsted-compliant service, staffed by a trained workforce that are able to meet the identified needs of these young people.

Decision

Approval to Direct Award a 12-month block contract to 1625ip, for the delivery of a 24-hour support model. The service will commence in July 2026 and will give Children’s Services time to go out to tender for the delivery of 24-hour support the provision longer term.

Alternative options considered

Following the introduction of mandatory Ofsted registration for supported accommodation on 28 October 2023, Children’s Services experienced a reduction in available 16+ provision, as a number of existing providers did not register, or de-registered provision.
An Intensive Support Service previously enabled young people aged 16+ to live independently in self-contained accommodation, with a high-support offer over a 12–18-month period. However, this model did not meet Ofsted accommodation requirements and is no longer viable in its existing form. Commissioning this service allows Children’s Services to transfer this intensive support model into a compliant, registered setting.
The only remaining alternative for accommodating 16-17-year-olds has been placement within External Supported Accommodation (ESA). This option was rejected as it represents a disproportionate level of support and cost for young people whose needs are more appropriately met within a structured, lower-intensity supported accommodation environment.